A Guide On Growing Peonies In Pots

A Guide On Growing Peonies in Pots

Are you interested in growing peonies in pots and want to know how to go about it?  This article will help you not only learn how to grow peonies in pots but take good care of them.

Peonies are beautiful flowers that are very popular in the western world. They can be used for both indoor and outdoor gardening. Peonies have long been an essential part of our garden culture.

Basic Structure Of a Peony Flower

In many countries, the peony flower is cultivated as an ornamental plant. The beauty of this flower lies in its unique structure. The flowers are composed of three parts: the stamen, the petals, and the pistils.

Stamen

The stamen is responsible for making pollen. The pollen is necessary for the fertilization of the pistil, which will make a seed pod. The flower is known as a perfect flower because of the symmetrical arrangement of the petals.

Pistils

The pistils are located at the base of the ovary. They have two functions: the first one is to produce pollen, and the second one is to produce a capsule.

Basic Structure Of A Peony Flower

Petals

The petals are composed of two leaves that cover the pistil. They are arranged in two rows on top of each other. The outer row of petals is larger than the inner ones. The size of the petals is dependent on the variety of the plant.

Capsule

The capsule is the seedpod of the peony. It has two lobes. Each lobe contains one or more seeds.

Let’s move on to growing them in pots.

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How To Growing Peonies in Pots

So, now that you know what a peony flower looks like, let’s get started. We will learn how to grow peonies in pots.

Step 1:  Prepare the potting soil

The first thing you need to do is to buy some potting soil. The best potting soil is a combination of peat moss and perlite. Peat moss is an organic material, which is made up of peat and humus. It has a high moisture retention rate. Perlite is a mineral product that has very small particles and is very lightweight. These two materials are combined together and make good potting soil. This type of soil has excellent drainage and it is also good for the roots.

Step 2:  Plant your peonies’ seeds

Plant the peony in the prepared potting soil. Water well and wait until they have rooted.

You should use a pot with good drainage that is at least 20 inches deep and 20 inches wide. You will likely have to increase the size of your container every three to four years.

Step 3:  Add some fertilizer

After they have rooted, you can start feeding them with a peony fertilizer. Peony fertilizers are formulated specifically for peonies. They have a rich supply of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium.

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Growing Peonies In Pots

Step 4:  Water them well

Keep watering the peonies until they start to flower.

Step 5:  Take care of the peony after they flower

When they start to bloom, the peony needs more water and light. If the weather is too hot, you need to bring them inside.

Step 6:  Enjoy your peonies

They are beautiful plants and you can enjoy their beautiful blooms for a long time.

Step 7:  Re-pot your peonies

When they start to die, you can re-pot them into a new pot. It is very easy to do and you don’t need to be an expert gardener to re-pot your peonies indoors.

Caring For Growing Peonies in Pots

Peonies are one of the easiest plants to grow, and they don’t need much at all in terms of care once they’re established.

They prefer a sunny spot with good drainage, but they can take a fair amount of shade. They should get at least four hours of sunlight a day. In the summer they like it hot, and in the winter they like it cold.

You’ll want to water them weekly during the dry season, and monthly during the wet season. Use a soaker hose if you live in a humid area, or use an irrigation system with drip lines if you live in a very dry area.

You should water them thoroughly so that they’re completely soaked through, especially around the roots. Water the mature peonies about every week or every other week, though in hot weather they will need to be watered more frequently.

If your soil is a little on the clay side, you may need to add a bit of peat moss or other organic matter to make sure that they have enough moisture. You can also try to avoid watering during the day if possible since that tends to be when most plants get too much water.

Fertilize your potting soil twice a year, once at the beginning of spring and once midway during the growing season.  When planting your peonies you can add compost manure or organic fertilizers.

If you plant them outside, you will need to fertilize them with a high phosphorus fertilizer.  You can use the fertilizer for your garden and apply it around the plants.

It is recommended that you add one tablespoon of fertilizer for every gallon of water.  The fertilizer should be added after the plants are planted and watered in.  Once you have done this, you should water the plants regularly. 

Make sure that you do not overwater the plants.  This could cause the roots to rot.  If you notice any signs of rot on the roots, remove the plant from the pot immediately.

Read more about How To Propagate Fig Tree? – Efficient Method

Take-Home – Growing Peonies in Pots

Growing peonies in pots are possible for every gardener who wishes to grow these beauties. It takes time, patience and a good deal of care. But it can be done, and done well. Here are some tips for growing peonies in pots. Peonies are a favorite of many gardeners, but many of us have never grown them in pots before.

FAQ’s

Do peonies grow well in pots?

Yes. They will grow well in pots but the best time to pot them is during the spring. They like warm weather and do not like a very cold winter. Peony plants will not grow well in a house with temperatures below 50° F.

How do you look after potted peonies?

Potted peony should be watered regularly and fertilised every two months, or as required. They are best grown in full sun, but if you live in a cooler climate, they can be grown in partial shade.

Do peonies prefer sun or shade?

Peonies like sun, but will tolerate some shade.

Do peonies bloom the first year?

Peonies are perennial plants and will bloom the second year after being planted.